Game for musical instruction.



E. A. BETTIN. v GAME FOR MUSICAL INSTRUCTION. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1911.

. fhm sw fo r c mum ILANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON D c l Pa t ented JaI 1. 16, 1912.

- EMMA A. BETTIN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

GAME FOR 'MUSICAL INSTRUCTION.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMMA A. BETTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Games for Musical Instruction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to games for musical instruction, and more particularly to such a game as adapted for instruction as to the notes of the musical scale and the po sitions of the same with relation to the lines and spaces of the musical staff; and the invention has for its object to provide a game of the general character stated which will be superior in relative simplicity and inexpensiveness of form and construction, facility and attractiveness and instructiveness and fascination in use, durability, lightness and compactness in form, and which will be generally superior in efficiency and serviceability.

The invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, relative arrangement and association of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawing, and finally pointed out in claim.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the several parts and features of a game formed and organized in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the body or main portion of the same with which the loose or freely acting parts shown in the other figure co-act.

Corresponding parts in both the figures are designated by the same reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the drawing, the improved game device comprises in the main a body A, formed and organized as hereinafter stated, and with which co-act one or more balls or similar objects B which are put into motion by an actuating device 0, such as a spinning top. The body A is preferably circular in form, and comprises a base 3 provided with an annular upstanding inwardly curved flange or rim 4; and upon the upper surface 5 of the base 3 are disposed a plurality, preferably five, of

, concentric annular lines 6 the outermost of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 25, 1911.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

Serial No. 629,321.

which is disposed adjacent to the rim or flange 4, said lines being spaced from each other and from said flange or rim 4 and from the central portion of the upper surface 5 by annular spaces 7, with the exception of the central space 7 which is circular, such spaces 7 and 7 and such lines 6 corresponding to the spaces and lines of the musical staff. In registration with such lines and spaces are provided a plurality of depressions or recesses 8, formed in the upper surface portion 5 of the base 3, and adapted to receive and retain spheres or balls or similar objects 9 which are otherwise capable of free movement over the upper surface 5 of' the base 3. These balls 9 constitute the objects B, and the top 10 constitutes the actuating device C, which is spun upon the circular central portion or space 7 of the upper surface portion 5 of the base 3. It is to be understood that only the outer annular portion of the central circular space 7* constitutes the next space of the staff inward of the innermost annular line 6. The treble cleif marks are shown in Fig. 1 as applied to the staff, but it is to be understood that another cleff mark may also be applied to such staff and the spaces and lines of the staff be read accordingly.

In using the game device, the balls 9 are grouped together in the space 7 to which space they return by gravity, the upper surface portion 5 of the base 3 being preferably slightly dished as shown in Fig. 2, and the top 10 is spun in said space and moves among the balls, actuating them radially of the surface portion 5, so that with varied frequency they, or one or more of the same, are or is caused to enter the respective recesses or pockets 8. Those playing the game, such as children receiving early musical instruction, then announce the stafl value or line or space note related to the cup or recess 8 in which any one ball is temporarily retained, the scholar first announcing the proper note being credited with one or more points in the game. The up-standing flange or rim 4 prevents loss and misplacement or displacement of the balls 9, limiting their field of movement.

The game serves in an interesting and fascinating Way to instruct scholars as to the various note positions upon the staff, and

vividly fixes in their minds the relations of the several notes to the several lines and spaces of the staif.

Having thus described my invention I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

A game device'of the character set forth comprising a body having an extended surface provided with a plurality of lines and spaces arranged to simulate a musical staff, there being recesses in said extended surface in registration respectively with said lines and spaces and adapted to temporarily retain an object traversing said extended surface; there being a cleff mark applied to said lines and spaces.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EMMA A. BETTIN.

Witnesses:

A. COHEN, R. I. BLAKESLEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

